The Chicago Blackhawks ended their preseason schedule in Washington with a 4-1 loss to the Capitals. With Jonathan Toews, Dave Bolland, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson back in Chicago and Jimmy Hayes and Peter LeBlanc called back up from Rockford, the contest was a bit closer than the final tally would indicate.

The ‘Hawks started the game on their heels as Washington controlled the early going. Chicago’s best scoring chance in the opening minutes was a hustling move to the puck by Daniel Carcillo, who was stopped by Mike Green before he could finish his drive to the net.

Washington struck first midway through the period. Green faked out Marcus Kruger at the blue line for a clear shot at goal. Corey Crawford got his pads on the shot, but the puck trickled seductively towards the goal line until Mathieu Perreault tapped it in for the 1-0 Capitals lead. Chicago killed two penalties before Brooks Laich and new acquisition Joel Ward executed a nice give-and-go that resulted in Laich beating Crawford for Washington’s second goal.Continue reading »